Everybody has a role.
That's what Norwich Free Academy senior center Jon Merjuste told me after the Wildcats win over Cheshire Monday night in a first round Class LL state tournament game.
R.J. Evans has to score, Garvin McAlister has to distribute, Mike Mailhot has to hit from the outside and both Kevin Donovan and Kyle Onate must rebound inside and get those putbacks.
Merjuste's role, besides coming off the bench and providing interior help, is the emotional leadership of the team. Check out who is in the middle of the huddle just before the game begins or who gets the team fired up prior to their entrance on the court.
It's one of the reasons why the Wildcats have won 24 straight games going into their second round match up with Danbury tonight at home. And speaking of tonight's game, it will be the last home game for players like Merjuste.
"That's a toughie," Merjuste said when I reminded him of that, "last home game, it's crazy. It goes by quick, life is fast and you have to live every moment."
Good words to plan anyone's day by.
The Waterford Lancers girls also have a big game tonight as they play Darien in a Class L state tournament semifinal game at 6 p.m. down in Wallingford.